this post was submitted on 30 Oct 2023
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"Smart" lights (alien.top)
submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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So, I got a few Amazon A-words a few years ago and some smart lights and all that and they were the bees knees... For a week, then the novelty wore off. Two years later, I'm just stuck in my routine of "get ready for bed" and the lamp turns on so I can shut off the room light, then "night light" and it turns red at 3% brightness and shuts off after 20 minutes.

Well, the a-word is just so filled with ads and stuff now. I guess I trust them enough to "not listen to everything I say" but, it's just getting annoying. Also, when my a-word and the lightbulbs are on the same WiFi, I can't turn my light on when the internet is down!

I have an ESX box at home - it's just an old Dell desktop so no crazy resources - but it could run another VM just fine.

  1. What are the options for running a server that can listen to me and do things? Obviously I'd need a mic, etc. (I know Windows has more overhead but I'm most comfortable with that, but I know enough Linux to make it work, and I'm good at following documentation).
  2. My smart lights are Kasa - so... Would a self-hosted server be able to control those? Would it still need their app? So, would it still not work when the internet is down?
  3. What aren't I thinking of I might need to know?
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[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

This is a bit of a rabbit hole, but here's my setup:

I use Google Home as my voice assistant, several throughout the house. I also self host OpenHab (for connection between Google and my smart home. Also for their tablet interface) and Node-Red ( for the actual logic. OpenHab is more complicated than I would like. Node-Red is easier for me. Also Node-Red and OH talk to each other, so no worries there). I also host my own MQTT server which I use to control my devices.

​

I use several Sonoff devices flashed with a custom firmware called Tasmota. This allows them to be used completely offline as long as the MQTT server is up in my house. If the internet ever goes out, I cannot use Google to control anything, but the tablet on my wall is fully functional as well as the app.

​

If you already have Kasa lights, then Home Assistant may be the way to go for you, but I can't vouch for it as I don't use it. I built my system from the ground up with local control in mind. It's more work up front, but when something isn't functioning I know why